Blog

Produced by RBC Global Asset Management’s Chief Economist Eric Lascelles.

Economics is rife with self-correcting mechanisms, and we give our thoughts on how that dynamic is likely to play out in the relationship between the U.S. budget deficit and longer-term interest rates.

Tariffs can have many economic impacts, but we think investors should focus on the economic and political goals that are driving decision-making.

Global central banks this month have offered something for everyone from further interest rates hikes in Japan to rate cuts in Canada and Europe, while the Federal Reserve remained motionless.

Every administration enters office with aggressive policy goals. But a lot of give-and-take may be needed to turn goals into policy.

After years of small-cap underperformance relative to large-cap counterparts, the tide looks to be turning. We look at why investors shouldn’t overlook this aspect of the 2025 equity outlook as small caps seem poised to return to form.

Due to structural headwinds, we downgraded European equities to Underweight in December. Yet a number of catalysts could occur in Q1 that could be well received by equity markets. We peruse the opportunities that may emerge in European equities.

We pinpoint five reasons why U.S. equities capped off a banner year in 2024 and why investors were willing to pay for premium valuations. We also offer thoughts on the environment in 2025 and how to approach portfolio positioning.